Jeanne Loretta Nielsen, 64, of Aurora died Sunday, June, 25, 2017, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.
Memorial services are at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2030 Third St. in Brookings with the Rev. Teri Johnson officiating. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brookings Backpack Project at brookingsbackpackproject.org.
Jeanne was born in Hendricks, Minn., to Lowell and Joyce Hexum on Dec. 15, 1952. She attended Hendricks High School and graduated in 1970. She married David Nielsen on Feb. 1, 1975. Jeanne provided daycare services for many families; she was a secretary at SDSU and the First United Methodist Church and worked in the lunchroom at Medary Elementary.
Jeanne enjoyed baking the most delicious bread/buns, tea rings and sweets, spending time at the lake and most of all spending time with her family. She sewed, made beautiful needlepoint and was always doing for everyone else. She was a beautiful mother to Kenny, Angie and Kari, but was like a mother to so many more. She was known by many for her unconditional love, baked goods, May baskets, candy drawer and so much more. Her grandchildren were a highlight of her life. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and her great sense of humor. Jeanne was a caring, giving, selfless lady; always putting everyone else’s needs above her own.
Jeanne is survived by her husband David; son, Kenny Nielsen (Samira Karajic) of Sioux Falls\; daughter, Angie (Brian) St. Martin of Excelsior, Minn.; daughter, Kari (Aaron) Krogman of Brookings; 12 grandchildren; father, Lowell Hexum of Longmont, Colo.; sister, Wendy (Steve) Conder of Longmont, Colo.; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Joyce Hexum; two sisters, Wanda Johnston and Cheryl Rogers; brother, Mike Hexum and nephew Jared Sommervold.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
